H.B. No. 2616
AN ACT
relating to the operation of and lighting equipment for medical
examiner vehicles and vehicles operated by justices of the peace in
certain circumstances.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 545.156, Transportation Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 545.156. VEHICLE APPROACHED BY AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY
VEHICLE. (a) This section applies only to:
(1) [On the immediate approach of] an authorized
emergency vehicle using audible and visual signals that meet the
requirements of Sections 547.305 and 547.702;
(2) a medical examiner vehicle, as defined by Section
547.751, lawfully using a visual signal in accordance with that
section;
(3) a vehicle operated by a justice of the peace for a
purpose described by Section 547.752 and lawfully using a visual
signal in accordance with that section; and
(4) [, or of] a police vehicle lawfully using only an
audible or visual signal.
(a-1) On the immediate approach of a vehicle described by
Subsection (a), an operator, unless otherwise directed by a police
officer, shall:
(1) yield the right-of-way;
(2) immediately drive to a position parallel to and as
close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway
clear of any intersection; and
(3) stop and remain standing until the authorized
emergency vehicle has passed.
(b) This section does not exempt the operator of a [an
authorized emergency] vehicle described by Subsection (a) from the
duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using
the highway.
SECTION 2. Chapter 547, Transportation Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter L-1 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER L-1. ADDITIONAL LIGHTING EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZED FOR
MEDICAL EXAMINER VEHICLES AND VEHICLES OPERATED BY JUSTICES OF THE
PEACE IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES
Sec. 547.751. ADDITIONAL LIGHTING EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZED FOR
MEDICAL EXAMINER VEHICLES. (a) In this section, "medical examiner
vehicle" means a motor vehicle that is owned or leased by a
governmental entity for use by a medical examiner or an employee of
an office of a medical examiner in the performance of the examiner's
or employee's duties relating to an inquest conducted under
Subchapter B, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure.
(b) A medical examiner vehicle may be equipped with either:
(1) mounted signal lamps that comply with the
requirements of Section 547.702(c); or
(2) a signal lamp that is temporarily attached to the
vehicle roof and flashes red and blue lights visible at a distance
of at least 500 feet in normal sunlight.
(c) The operator of a medical examiner vehicle may use the
lighting equipment described by Subsection (b) only when:
(1) necessary to warn other vehicle operators or
pedestrians of the approach of the medical examiner vehicle; and
(2) operating the vehicle in the course and scope of
the operator's duties relating to an inquest conducted under
Subchapter B, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure.
Sec. 547.752. ADDITIONAL LIGHTING EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZED FOR
VEHICLES OPERATED BY JUSTICES OF THE PEACE IN CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES. (a) A vehicle operated by a justice of the peace in
the course and scope of the justice's duties as a coroner under
Subchapter A, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure, may be
equipped with either:
(1) mounted signal lamps that comply with the
requirements of Section 547.702(c); or
(2) a signal lamp that is temporarily attached to the
vehicle roof and flashes red and blue lights visible at a distance
of at least 500 feet in normal sunlight.
(b) A justice of the peace may use the lighting equipment
described by Subsection (a) only when:
(1) necessary to warn other vehicle operators or
pedestrians of the approach of a vehicle operated by a justice of
the peace; and
(2) operating the vehicle in the course and scope of
the justice's duties relating to an inquest conducted under
Subchapter A, Chapter 49, Code of Criminal Procedure.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2616 was passed by the House on May 5,
2023, by the following vote: Yeas 139, Nays 2, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2616 was passed by the Senate on May
21, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor